My initial reaction to Rick Pitino’s rant about the Katina Powell fiasco was that the coach was close to going over the edge. Why bring up the issue when media coverage of the probe had all but dissipated, every possible angle having been examined? Fans seemed to recognize it for what it was, a cheap tawdry episode involving hookers, college kids and an elite basketball program.
Based on Pitino’s comments, however, it is obvious that he is deeply hurt that his program would be mired in such a mess. Having prided himself on running a squeaky clean program, Pitino was astonished that someone in his organization would tarnish his personal reputation and put his basketball program at risk.